Old Computer Collecting vs Electronics Building

Nor do I. The larger SMD parts are perfectly easy to homebrew with, and I am quite sure _I'll_ find a way to use even BGAs as/when I have to. That said, there are plenty of pin-through-hole parts around still. Nor do I buy the argument that it's not worth homebrewing as you can buy a better unit for less. Firstly what you buy ready made is often not better than that which you could build. Secondly, there are plenty of things you can't buy. And thirdly, nothing (IMHO) compares with the feeling when one of your homebrew designs works. And what about programming? 20 years ago (or so), most people who bought a home computer learnt to program, at least in BASIC. Many went on to learn other languages. Now, I'll bet that most computer owners have never written a line of code in their lives. Even though computers are a lot more common than they were 20 years ago, I suspect the total number of amateur programmers has decreased. And yet the programming tools are now even eaier to obtain than they were 25 years ago (there are free versions of most ocmmon languages, home computers are powerful enough to run said free versions). There are still a number of people in the UK who make mechanical clocks at home. To make a clock, you can expend to spend \pounds 100 on metal, and about as much again (if not more) on the gear cutters. That assumes you already have a lathe, dividing head, etc. And the result is a worse timekeeper than any 5 quid quartz clock. Don't get me wrong. The clocks they make are beuatiful, and I would love to be able to make one (in fact, I fully intend to do so sometime). But financially it makes no sense at all, unless you consider the enjoyment and education you get by making said clock -- things that also apply to homebrewing electronics. That said, though, there are not that many model engineers or amateur clockmakers in the UK. Just as there are a few, but not that many electronics hackers. And I think one of the reasons is simple. Most kids have realised that there is no point going into science/engineering. There are no good well-paid, satisfying jobs in those areas. Well paid jobs (at least in the UK) seem to reserved for those who can kick a football or strum a guitar. And the educational system seems to be designed to remove any curiousity that a child might have (fortunately, it didn't work on me). -tony